Chinese fleet docked in Iran for cementing friendly ties

TEHRAN, Jun. 18 (MNA) – Commander of Chinese Navy fleet which moored at Bandar Abbas Thu. said the aim of the voyage to Iran was to establish friendly ties and maintain regional stability.

The Chinese commander made the remarks in a meeting with Commander of Iran's First Naval Zone Admiral Hossein Azad on Sunday, noting that Fleet 150 launched its voyage from Shanghai on the occasion of 68th anniversary of the establishment of China’s Navy.

According to him, the fleet had docked at Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar before arriving in Iran, and its next destinations includes Oman, Djibouti, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Tanzania, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei, etc.

The Chinese commander stressed that joint cooperation between Iran and China will further increase, voicing hope that the Iranian naval forces will gain more and more strength to play an active part in sustaining peace and stability across the region and the world.

The Chinese Navy fleet, which docked at Bandar Abbas on Thursday, began its joint military exercise with vessels of the Iranian Navy in waters of Islamic Republic of Iran on Sunday, three years after their first joint navy drill on September 2014.

Comprising Chang Chun destroyer, Chao Hu replenishment, Jin Zhou frigate and a helicopter, the Chinese fleet is staying in Iranian southern port of Bandar Abbas for two days to strengthen friendly relations between Tehran and Beijing as well as to promote maritime collaborations.